Press
“Soup to Nuts” Real Estate Approach: Maryland’s SECU and CU Realty Services Announce Partnership
LINTHICUM, MD and SCOTTSDALE, AZ (August 30, 2013) — SECU, a $2.6 billion credit union based in Linthicum, Md., is partnering with CU Realty Services to provide members a full range of home-buying services. SECU has branded its new program “Homebuying360.”
“Partnering with CU Realty Services represents a tremendous opportunity for SECU to expand beyond simply offering home loans to our members,” said SECU Vice President of Lending Kevin Kesecker. “Homebuying360 allows us to support the entire real estate transaction, from start to finish. That ‘soup-to-nuts’ approach helps position SECU as the First Point of Contact™ for members, regardless of whether they are buying or selling a home.”
Being the First Point of Contact is the key, says CU Realty Services President/CEO Mike Corn.
“Connecting with buyers early on benefits both the member looking for a home and the credit union providing the financing,” said Corn. “An online program makes the most sense, as 90 percent of homebuyers use the Internet during their home search, and more than half do so as their first step. SECU’s partnership with CU Realty Services facilitates these connections and benefits its members.”
Using the new program, SECU’s more than 230,000 members and new, prospective members, have access to several resources needed to successfully purchase a home:
- Comprehensive homebuyer education and resources
- MLS research access for searching properties and neighborhoods
- A referral list of pre-screened, experienced Realtors®
- Various home loan options with no application or processing fees
- Rebates at closing, averaging $1,500
SECU’s Homebuying360 allows the credit union to capture more of its members’ home loan business, while also attracting new members in the market for a home. Kesecker noted that among the participating credit unions he contacted, they reported significant increases in their purchase mortgage business. He said all of their members were pleased with the CU Realty Services program.
“The bottom line is that buying or selling a home can be complicated,” said Kesecker, “but now it doesn’t have to be.”
For more information about SECU’s Homebuying 360, visit www.secumd.org/homebuying360. To learn more about CU Realty Services, visit www.curealty.com.
About SECU
Founded in Baltimore in 1951, SECU is the largest state-chartered financial cooperative in Maryland, with over 230,000 members. SECU is ranked among the top 50 credit unions for total assets in the U.S. As of June, 2013, assets were $2.6 billion. Headquartered in Linthicum, MD, SECU has 22 branches and 106 ATMs throughout Maryland. SECU also provides access to over 70,000 surcharge-free ATMs through the CO-OP and Allpoint networks. For more information about SECU, visit www.secumd.org.
About CU Realty Services, LLC
CU Realty Services provides real estate services to credit unions across the nation, helping them increase their purchase mortgage business. Launched in 2001, the CUSO has worked with more than 100 credit unions and thousands of their members. CU Realty’s range of web-based tools helps homebuyers find homes, research neighborhoods, calculate costs, connect to experienced real estate agents, and earn a rebate. By offering this program to members, credit unions are able to achieve significant increases in their purchase mortgage business. For more information, call Tina Powers, (800) 203-9014, ext. 104, or visit www.curealty.com.